The Altar of Incense
Tabernacle FurnitureMeaning: “Golden altar of sweet incense”
The rising incense pictures the prayers of God’s people.
The small gold-covered altar where fragrant incense burned continually before the veil.
What It Was
The golden altar of incense stood in the Holy Place directly before the veil that hid the Ark (Exodus 30:1–6). Morning and evening the priest burned sweet incense on it so that fragrant smoke rose continually before the LORD.
Biblical Significance & Symbolism
Scripture explicitly links the incense with prayer: “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense” (Psalm 141:2), and in Revelation 8:3–4 the incense is “the prayers of all saints.” The altar stood nearest the presence of God — prayer is the believer’s approach to the throne.
Timeline
Built for the Holy Place before the veil
Scripture References
12 versesExodus4 verses
Exodus 30:27
And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,
Exodus 31:8
And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, furniture: Heb. vessels
Exodus 39:38
And the golden altar, and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense, and the hanging for the tabernacle door, the sweet: Heb. the incense of sweet spices
Exodus 40:26
And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
Numbers1 verse
Numbers 4:11
And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:
1 Chronicles2 verses
1 Chronicles 6:49
But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
1 Chronicles 28:18
And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
2 Chronicles2 verses
2 Chronicles 4:19
And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set;
2 Chronicles 26:16
But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
Luke1 verse
Luke 1:11
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Revelation2 verses
Revelation 8:3
And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. offer: or, add it to the prayers
Revelation 9:13
And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
Topics & Symbolism
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Frequently asked about The Altar of Incense
What was The Altar of Incense in the Bible?
The small gold-covered altar where fragrant incense burned continually before the veil.
What does The Altar of Incense symbolize?
The rising incense pictures the prayers of God’s people.
What does the name The Altar of Incense mean?
The name The Altar of Incense means “Golden altar of sweet incense”.
What was The Altar of Incense made of?
The Altar of Incense was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, measuring 1 × 1 × 2 cubits.
Who made The Altar of Incense?
The Altar of Incense was made by Bezalel.
Where was The Altar of Incense kept?
The Altar of Incense was kept at In the Holy Place, before the veil.
Where is The Altar of Incense first mentioned in the Bible?
The Altar of Incense is first mentioned in Exodus 30:27.
How often is The Altar of Incense mentioned in the Bible?
The Altar of Incense is mentioned in 12 verses across 6 books: Exodus, Numbers, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Luke, Revelation.
What does the altar of incense symbolize?
The continually rising incense pictures the prayers of God’s people ascending before him (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3–4).
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